BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
CLAFLIN – Two-time state champion Central Plains features an experienced lineup from a 7-3 playoff team that defeated Thunder Ridge 56-8 and lost 58-12 to South Central.
Central Plains football coach James Johnson is a Healy graduate who was a multi-sport athlete who lived in Utica. Johnson played football at Bethany College and earned his degree a Fort Hays State. He’s served as an assistant girls basketball coach with the Oilers.
“Coaching with Pat Stiles and being a part of the amazing culture he’s created has been my biggest inspiration,” Johnson said. “He's a better person than he is a coach. My biggest goal is to build/improve upon the culture that the coaching staff has established.”
Two-year starters RG/DE Landon Daniels; second-team WR Paxton Dody (313, 9 TDs); second team FB/LB Eli Hurley (706, 13 TDs; 113); DB Peyton Dody and DB Isaac Heredia headline a veteran lineup.
The Oilers return first team FB/G/LB Eli Hurley, second team C/DL Landon Daniels and second team OL/DE Mason Davison and LB Peyton Dody.
Hurley shared time in the backfield and will anchor the defensive middle.
“Eli Hurley is our best all-around football player,” Johnson said “He’s a tremendous athlete with good speed who doesn't back away from contact. We’ll find ways to get the football in his hands and we need him on the field on defense because he makes a difference.”
RG Landon Daniels and second team LG Aiden Hekele and Paxton Dody will lead a physical offensive line.
Johnson commented on several Oiler players.
“Landon Daniels is one of our hardest workers, an anchor and the leader of our offensive line. Logan Stroede had a great summer. He’ll working next to Landon on the offensive line.
“Joel Schreiber is a tremendous athlete with great speed. We’ll find ways to get the football in his hands on offense.
“Paxton Dody is a hard worker and really stepped up big for us at TE/DE last year. Expecting big things from him.
“Aiden Hekele is one of our senior leaders. The team responds well to him. Offensively, Aiden is a very gifted O-Linemen but athletic enough to play a TE/receiver role. Defensively, he will be playing LB alongside Eli Hurley.
Brodie Crites threw for 945 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
“Brodie Crites progressed and grew as a football player and leader. He always want to improve.”
The Oilers feature an offense that will mix the run and pass game.
We are fortunate to have the size and strength up front that we will be able to run the ball with success, and we also have the speed and athleticism at WR and a capable QB to be able to throw the ball as well. So I hope we are able to mix things up and keep defenses guessing.
The team made some great strides last year. We struggled with quality teams that were physical, due to our lack of experience/confidence. After last year and a great summer, we’ve grown and improved.
Johnson anticipates a defense will take advantage of their depth.
“We've had athletes who made strides in speed and strength,” Johnson said. “We’ll start with a 3-2 defense, but we will use other formations when we need to adjust.”
Johnson expects Ell-Saline to headline a talented Division 1 football district with Canton-Galva and Little River expected to be competitive.
“We’ll have to play our best game every week in order to compete,” he said. “If we grow as a team and family, and everyone does their job, wins and success will follow.”
CENTRAL PLAINS
RETURNING STARTERS—Eli Hurley, FB/G/MLB; Joel Schreiber, RB/CB; Paxton Dody, RB/TE/DE; Brodie Crites, QB/CB; Aiden Hekele, LG/DL; Logan Stroede, G/DE; Devin Davidson, G/NG; Landon Daniels, G/DE; Peyton Dody, DB.
FOOTBALL, 8-MAN 1, DISTRICT
8-MAN 1 DISTRICT 3—Ell Saline 10-2 (5-0), Canton-Galva 8-2 (4-0), Central Plains 7-3 (1-2), Little River 7-3 (4-1), Solomon 2-7 (1-4), Goessel 1-8 (1-4)
OILER ROSTER
0—Richard Stroud, 5-8, 150, FB/MLB, 11
1—Broc Klima, 5-8, 156, FB/MLB, 10
2—Eli Hurley, 5-8, 165, FB/G/MLB, 12
3—Isaac Heredia, 5-5, 120, RB/CB, 11
4—Joel Schreiber, 6-3, 180, RB/CB, 12
5—Camdon Stiles, 6-0, 153, WR/CB, 10
6—Jimmie Soeken, 5-9, 130, 9
7—Scott Lamatsch, 5-9, 124, 9
8—Kaydon Looney, 5-4, G/NG, 10
9—Paxton Dody, 6-0, 172, RB/TE/DE, 12
10—Brodie Crites, 6-0, 153, QB/CB, 10
11—Keeton Robison, 5-8, 140, 9
12—Peyton Dody, 6-1, 155, RB/TE/DB, 11
13—Rylan Siemsen, 5-9, 120, QB/TE/FS, 11
14—Richie Hayes, 5-6, 122, 9
15—Teagan Schepmann, 5-9, 154, 9
20—Armando Vasquez, 5-8, 165, TE/DE, 11
21—Aiden Hekele, 6-2, 191, LG/DL, 12
24—Peyton Kempke, 5-11, 187, 9
25—Scott Marsell, 5-6, 153, 9
45—Ben Pflughoeft, 6-2, G/DE, 10
50—Levi Bloodworth, 5-10, 226, 9
55—Logan Stroede, 6-4, 254, G/DE, 12
77—Devin Davidson, 6-2, 250, G/NG, 12
91—Cameron Zink, 5-8, C/NG, 10
95—Landon Daniels, 5-11, 232, G/DE, 11
FOOTBALL, 8-MAN 1, DISTRICT 3
8-30—at Spearville Jamboree
9-6—Macksville
9-13—at Victoria
9-20—La Crosse
9-27—*Solomon
10-4—*at Goessel
10-11—*Canton-Galva
10-18—*at Little River
10-25—*Ell-Saline
10-31—8-man playoffs
